The inaugural Surf Abu Dhabi Pro concluded with Caitlin Simmers and Italo Ferreira emerging victorious in their respective categories. This event, part of the 2025 World Surf League Championship Tour, showcased thrilling performances in a state-of-the-art wave pool on Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Key Takeaways
- Caitlin Simmers reclaimed the World No. 1 spot with her victory.
- Italo Ferreira secured his 10th Championship Tour win, also rising to No. 1 in the men’s rankings.
- The event featured a unique wave pool format, providing consistent conditions for competitors.
Event Overview
Held from February 14 to 16, 2025, the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro marked a significant milestone as the first World Surf League event in the Middle East. The competition took place in a 500-meter-long wave pool designed by the Kelly Slater Wave Company, offering a controlled environment for surfers to showcase their skills.
The event kicked off with the men’s qualifying rounds, where top surfers battled for a spot in the elimination rounds. Griffin Colapinto set the tone with the highest score of the qualifying round, while Miguel Pupo excelled in the elimination round, securing his place in the next stage.
Women’s Competition Highlights
The women’s competition was equally fierce, with Caitlin Simmers demonstrating her prowess. She advanced through the heats with impressive scores, including a standout 9.57 in the semifinals. The final saw Simmers face off against Molly Picklum, where she initially took the lead with an 8.67. Despite Picklum’s strong performance, Simmers held her ground to clinch the title.
Simmers expressed her excitement post-victory, stating, "The most pressure you’re going to feel is when you’re in a wave pool waiting for your wave… It’s not luck; it’s skill."
Men’s Competition Highlights
On the men’s side, Italo Ferreira showcased his dominance throughout the event. He faced tough competition from Kanoa Igarashi and Jack Robinson in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, but consistently delivered high scores. In the final against Rio Waida, Ferreira maintained his lead with scores of 8.67 and 8.60, ultimately winning with a total of 17.27.
Ferreira shared his thoughts on the event, saying, "On a wave pool, it’s always super exciting… I was so glad to have those moments."
Rankings After The Event
Following the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, the rankings saw significant shifts:
| Men’s Rankings | Points |
|---|---|
| 1. Italo Ferreira | 10,000 |
| 2. Barron Mamiya | 8,500 |
| 3. Miguel Pupo | 7,500 |
| 4. Ethan Ewing | 6,500 |
| 5. Leonardo Fioravanti | 6,000 |
| Women’s Rankings | Points |
|---|---|
| 1. Caitlin Simmers | 10,000 |
| 2. Molly Picklum | 8,500 |
| 3. Tyler Wright | 7,500 |
| 4. Caroline Marks | 6,000 |
| 5. Sawyer Lindblad | 5,500 |
As the surfers prepare for the next stop at the Meo Rip Curl Pro in Portugal on March 15, the excitement continues to build for the 2025 Championship Tour.
Sources:
- Caity Simmers and Italo Ferreira Win Inaugural Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, Surf News Network.
- Surf Abu Dhabi Pro To Host Stop No. 2 of WSL Championship Tour From February 14 – 16, Surf News Network.
- Italo Ferreira, Caitlin Simmers Win Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, The Inertia.
